It took me a long time, but I've finally decided to join SP to try and lose weight. I have health issues and issues with self-esteem, and I just feel like it's time to get serious about losing weight.

I am in my 40s and live in the DC area with my boyfriend and 7 rescued cats. We are vegans and are learning how to homestead, little by little.

I pay my bills as a secretary, but started my own business selling photography goods and services, hand crafts, virtual ...

It took me a long time, but I've finally decided to join SP to try and lose weight. I have health issues and issues with self-esteem, and I just feel like it's time to get serious about losing weight.

I am in my 40s and live in the DC area with my boyfriend and 7 rescued cats. We are vegans and are learning how to homestead, little by little.

I pay my bills as a secretary, but started my own business selling photography goods and services, hand crafts, virtual assisting and writing/editing services, and vintage goods back in 2008. THAT is where my heart is--with my own business. It's just too young to support me yet.

When I'm not working--and I work a LOT, as you can guess--I like to travel, cook (I especially enjoy taking traditional recipes and veganizing them,) read, and of course help animals. (I no longer take animals into my home, but I try and remain active in animal rescue in other ways.) I am an artist and Child of Nature at heart (Hippie!)

As active as I am, there is not much I love more than my home, my boyfriend, and my animals.

This day belongs to me. I can do wonderful things with it, creative things, including the creation of order in my surroundings and in my mind. Nobody else owns my particular segment of tim, so it really depends only on me how I will fill every moment to my satisfaction.

“Courage is not the absence of despair; it is, rather the capacity to move ahead in spite of despair.” —Rollo May

Some days we wake up to overwhelming feelings that things look bleak. We see loss and danger around us, and we fear for the future. That is when our character is most tested. That is when we are called to continue to just put one foot in front of the other. There is no need to solve all our problems right away or to change the world immediately. Courage isn’t necessarily a feeling of confidence that we can triumph over all odds. It’s knowing that we can move ahead one step at a time, and it’s taking positive action in the face of our fears. Each day we can do small things that are constructive. By these small things, we can place ourselves on the positive side of life’s equation. We can put our weight where we want to go. That is courage. Today, in the face of my despair, I will focus my efforts on the side of my hopes and values